Eduardo, a baby boy from Guatemala, is only a month old, but is already having developmental trouble and has lost significant weight since he was born. At birth, his mother was unable to produce enough milk for him grow at a normal rate. More recently she has been able to breastfeed for 30-45 minutes at time, but Eduardo, unsatisfied, still cries afterward. His mother is doing everything she can to force production of breast milk, but Eduardo still hasn’t been receiving as much as he should. His mother cannot afford formula, so in some instances when she cannot provide milk, she gives her son water to stop him from crying. Eduardo is the youngest child of a single mother: he has a 4-year-old sister and a 2-year-old brother. They all live together with one of their mother’s friends. Eduardo’s mother has limited access to education; she stopped after her first year in secondary school because her family could not afford it. Now to earn money, she washes clothes for her neighbors. Eduardo is at risk of dehydration and starvation. “His mother is ashamed and afraid that she cannot produce sufficient breast milk to feed her child,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). With $1,016, medical intervention will be possible for Eduardo. His mother will be given formula to provide her son with the calories he needs to grow. She will also receive one-on-one health education to prepare her the time when Eduardo will begin eating solid foods. The doctors are certain that the simple treatment will strengthen Eduardo’s immune system and allow him to become a healthy, energetic baby. “I just want him to grow,” Eduardo’s mother shares.

“John is a beautiful little boy living with his father,” shares our medical partner in Haiti, Project Medishare (PM). Just eight years old, John is in severe respiratory distress. “Twelve months ago John fell on a rock while biking in his neighborhood, and his parents did not take him to the hospital because they did not have money and it was not severe,” PM explains. “A few days later John started having difficulties breathing and his belly, face and foot started swelling.” When his father saw this, he took John to the hospital where he was given oxygen. However, pus in his right lung is still preventing him from breathing normally. In order for John to recover, he must receive surgery to remove the pus. “John's father is working very hard to raise money for him,” PM tells us. “He has to walk under the hot sun of Haiti every day, selling used stuff.” John’s father shares, “I fix stuff I find to sell in order to get money to feed my kid. I only came to the hospital with John hoping to receive free care because he was very sick; when they said to me that it is a private hospital and that I have to pay, I thought about going back home because I have no money. 
” Thankfully, John’s father does not have to take his son home. With $1,500 in funding, PM explains, “Treatment will consist of a thoracic drainage by surgical intervention.” First, the pus will be drained from John’s lung. Second, John will be given antibiotics to treat the infection. Finally, he will rejoin his family and resume his healthy life. “This surgery will save John’s life,” PM shares. Let’s fund this life-saving treatment and allow John to live a normal childhood—without pain and respiratory distress.

Webby is a sweet boy from Zambia who was born with hydrocephalus, a life-threatening condition which causes fluid buildup in the brain and leads to blindness and eventually death if not treated immediately. The team at CURE International describe Webby as "a smiley, interactive baby boy who is even starting to babble and crawl." Webby's mother earns a small income by selling fritters on the side of the road. She wants her son to grow up healthy, but she does not have the resources to access medical care for him. Fortunately, CURE International, with the support of Watsi donors, can provide Webby with life-saving surgery at no cost to his family.

Keith needs surgery to release the joints in his left foot and enable him to walk normally. He is a bright, charismatic child who was born with equinus foot, a condition that affects his ankle joint and makes it impossible for him to set his foot flat on the ground. As a result, Keith - who is at the age where he should be starting to walk with confidence - walks with a limp. Keith's mother, Benty, says she hopes he will be able to walk and play like other little children. She has tried for months to get him the medical care he needs to walk normally, and she finally found out about CURE's hospital and the specialized surgery they offer from a friend. It will cost CURE $1000 to provide Keith with the surgery he needs. We hope to raise the funds needed to cover the cost of his care and set him on a path towards a healthy and happy life.

Sin is a hardworking man from a small village in Cambodia. His life revolves around his family, which includes his wife and three small children. He works in construction to support them, and plays volleyball with his kids in his free time. In November of last year, Sin got into a motorbike accident when he was on his way to work and broke his knee. Motorbikes are one of the most inexpensive and common forms of transportation in Cambodia, and unfortunately accidents are common. Because the majority of the rural population cannot afford emergency medical care, these accidents often result in life-altering disabilities. Sin couldn’t afford emergency medical care after the accident, so a traditional healer treated him in his village. Four months later, his knee remains fractured. He is unable to work or help his wife around the house. It will only cost $300 for Sin to have surgery at CSC, our Medical Partner in Cambodia. With treatment, his doctors expect he’ll be able to return to work. Let’s help Sin recover from his accident and get back to living his life!

Sreyleak is a 15-year-old girl who was born with syndactyly, a condition that causes the three middle fingers on her left hand to fuse together. Because of her condition, it’s difficult for Sreyleak to carry things and play with her friends. Luckily, doctors at Children’s Surgical Centre can repair Sreyleak’s hand and give her the use of her fingers. Her doctors say with surgery, Sreyleak should have “improved function” and be able to live a normal life. Sreyleak lives in a rural area. Her parents are farmers. They make a modest income, but not enough to pay for Sreyleak’s medical care. Sreyleak loves school; her favorite classes are English and Science, and she loves listening to old Cambodian songs from the 50’s with her friends. Sreyleak wants to go to college and one day become an accountant.

Ezekiel is a 13-year-old boy with a deformed left foot. Because of his condition, Ezekiel walks using his toes and experiences severe pain when walking long distances. Without treatment, it will be impossible for Ezekiel to walk normally or live an active life. Fortunately, doctors at African Mission Healthcare Foundation can perform surgery to correct Ezekiel’s condition. They expect the procedure will relieve his pain and enable him to walk. Ezekiel comes from a small village. He was referred to this program specifically because of his family’s inability to pay for his medical care. Ezekiel’s doctors look forward to treating him so he can live a normal, healthy life.